7 Women In The Marine Corps On Life Beyond The Uniform

As of this writing, women make up about 8 percent of the U.S. Marine Corps. Being that they represent a small fraction of the already small cadre of women who serve (14.5 percent of all military units combined), I had a few questions about why they joined and how they're perceived. Outside of their small community of veterans, how do people react when they find out they've served? Does it change how they're perceived in the corporate world? How has being a Marine taught them the skills they need to succeed?

It turns out that their military service tends to challenge assumptions that many people have about women, and women in the military. There's no one type of woman that decides to join the Marines, but what they do share is instant credibility in any room they enter. They also share a deep pride in serving a higher mission, and a passion for dispelling misconceptions about what women are capable of doing, both in the military and civilian worlds.

We've partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps to give you a peek into the life of female Marines who have brought their unique skills to a vast number of industries -- long after serving on active duty. Whether they're working for the government, dipping a toe into the startup world, or continuing to serve through nonprofit organizations, these women can teach us a thing or two about leadership and resilience.